Proemia

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An introduction or preface to a speech or written work ; a preliminary statement that sets the context
2. Opening remarks or prologue that lead into the main part of an address or composition ; an initial discourse of preparatory nature
3. A preliminary or introductory section that precedes the main content of a discourse or text ; an opening statement that establishes the subject matter or purpose

Etymology: "Proemia" is the plural of "proemium," a noun meaning a preface or introductory passage before a speech or piece of writing. The plural form is the one you will most often meet in English, as writers typically speak of the "proemia" of several works or speeches at once. The singular comes from Latin "prooemium," which was itself borrowed from Ancient Greek "prooímion." The Greek word is built from "pro," meaning "before," and "oímē," meaning "song" or "ode," so its literal sense is something like "before the song." That makes sense for the form it describes: in Greek poetry, a hymn or ode often opened with a short introduction that set the scene before the main performance began.